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Alaila Everett, who smashed a baton on her competitor Kaelen Tucker’s head during the track meet at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships, has given a statement that her intention was not to hurt her opponent. During the 4x200m relay event, Kaelen Tucker, who was representing Lynchburg’s Brookville High School, was running the second leg of the race. The race got violent when her opposing athlete Everett from I.C. Norcom High School charged her with a baton. Following the attack, Tucker came off the track and her mother quickly intervened with her trainers to know the seriousness of the injury.
Speaking to ABC News affiliate WSET, Everett has now remarked, “I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock. I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’t believe it happened.” Everett, who also spoke to WAVY, and explained that she tried to reach out Tucker and her family but has been blocked on social media sites. Everett also broke down and pleaded that it was all an accident. As per WSET, Tucker is undergoing treatment for concussion and a possible skull injury.
No apologies came from Norcom
According to Tucker’s mother, she and her daughter are yet to receive apologies from any representative from I.C. Norcom High School. “No apologies, no coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it was… nothing,” said Kaelen’s mother Tamarro Tucker. Earlier, Tamarro also said that the apology should be coming from Everett and her coach.
Tamarro also accused Norcom and its staff of watching the entire scene unfold and not even checking on her daughter, who sustained the injury due to the severe attack. “They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her,” the Tucker said. “Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her,” she added.
